CROWNE PLAZZA - West Drayton?

[45doyle]

In 1977 this Hotel was called 'The Holiday Inn' (Stockley Lane), and since then has had numerous changes. I think the hotel in my pics below is this one. But it may not be ?!?!; The major clue is the 'windows' inside the room (circled) reach the floor and open, hence a balcony. This was one of the only hotels that had, and still has, balconies. Room number is odd 3141, but that may mean floor 3, room 141? Swing doors by the 'Lifts sign maybe another clue. Lovely orange decor too .



Can anyone confirm this Hotel, as it may have been used in other productions. It may be one of the others by Heathrow; or even West London somewhere.

[Mark O]

I think it most probably is what is now called the Crowne Plaza to north of junction 4 of the M4 Motorway, confusion arises as it was once known as the Holiday Inn and there is another nearby Hotel to the south of the M4 on Holloway lane (the huge one, clearly visible from the M4, the once grey concrete is now painted white) which is now called Holiday Inn but used to be called The Post House



The Intercontinental group manage Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, 'Crowne Plaza' being the upmarket ones, in that particular Hotel the rooms have a sliding picture window but not a balcony you can step onto, it's just for visual effect and gives the impression of being a balcony, it's been refurbished a few times since the pics (ghastly shade of orange!) and the fire doors seen closed (for filming purposes) are normally open during the day and close automatically at night, the Corridors fan in four different directions from the Lift Lobbies......



How do I know all this?......my Sister works for Holiday Inn, and we've stayed in both Hotels several times!

[Mark O]

What is the name of the Actress in the first pic?.......she's an 'I know her face' one, but I can't quite place her!

[45doyle]

It's Diana Fairfax. Do you distinctly recall the 'orange' decor; I ask because another episode was filmed the same month near 'The Datchet Suite' and that decor isn't orange (and this one is definitely the one on Stockley Road as you get a view of the outside) - see below where you can see the 'Datchet Suite' sign:

[Jackdaw]

I have vague memories of being taken to a private drinking club at this hotel in the 70's.

Very risque!

[45doyle]

Hi Jackdaw;



Do you know for sure which Hotel it was (please)?

[Mark O]

Here's a link to a pic and some info of the Crowne Plaza in question.......



CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL LONDON HOTELS | LONDON-HEATHROW | Official Hotel Site



It does have 23 meeting rooms, so one of them may be 'The Datchet suite', the shade of beige was common also back then in the public areas, but I can't say 100% if that was the then Holiday Inn, though it's also saying to Health centre, which it also does have (the Pool can get crowded, if there's up to 30 persons swimming they won't let anyone else in!)

[45doyle]

Cheers Mark O;



Do you know if I can access the corridors without staying there; in other words can I just walk in and find the rooms (floor 3 room 141) I want, or is the hotel heavily guarded?

[Mark O]

name='45doyle']Cheers Mark O;



Do you know if I can access the corridors without staying there; in other words can I just walk in and find the rooms (floor 3 room 141) I want, or is the hotel heavily guarded?

No, it's not heavily guarded!........there's an Irish theme pub and a Sampans Restaurant inside which is open to non-Residents so that could be an excuse for entering the Hotel, not that you would need one as there are plenty of non-residents going in and out of the Hotel all day long attending Conferences and presentations, etc; though to use the lift you will need to insert a plastic key card in a slot by the floor number panel in the lift (unless there is someone else already in the lift), I'm racking my brain trying to think where the location of the Stairs are but can't place them (being someone who always takes the Lift!)



As you enter the Hotel the Reception area is on the right, but go round to the left and you'll see a small novelty shop, the Irish pub, and the Lift lobby, carry on down one of the ground floor corridors and there may be access to a flight of stairs, which you may see behind a non-alarmed Fire door.......



hope you find room 141!

[45doyle]

Thanks for the info Mark O;

May have to ask the duty manager by the looks of things, if I can't get access to the stairs.

[bhowells]

Does anyone recall that the Golden Valley hotel near CGHQ in Cheltenham was used for exterior shots of the Crossroads motel.



A lovely hotel when Mrs H and I visited it in our courting days in 1983.

[45doyle]

I have had this reply from the 'Crowne Plazza' about the orange walled/carpeted corridors in the Hotel pictures above:



I have looked carefully at the photos and have also asked a colleague's opinion (she has been here even longer than me!!) We do not think this is our Hotel.



So sadly, I need to rethink where this Hotel is - any further clues would be most welcome.



Thanks,

Bob

[Mark O]

name='45doyle']I have had this reply from the 'Crowne Plazza' about the orange walled/carpeted corridors in the Hotel pictures above:



I have looked carefully at the photos and have also asked a colleague's opinion (she has been here even longer than me!!) We do not think this is our Hotel.



So sadly, I need to rethink where this Hotel is - any further clues would be most welcome.



Thanks,

Bob

Oh dear, after all that!.........how about trying the Holiday Inn at Shepperton?, the building is of a similar vintage, it's practicaly on the banks of the River Thames, I've stayed there once, similar inside as I recall, it would be more feasible for a Thameside Hotel to have a 'Datchet' suite, may be worth a try

[45doyle]

Sorry Mark, I think I have confused the issue; 'The Datchet Suite' image with the beige walls is the 'Crowne Plaza', its the orange decor bits they think is not their Hotel. Its the sliding picture windows that made me think it was the 'Crowne Plazza' in the first place because I can't seem to find any other hotels that have these. The Marriott at Ditton Lane is my next target, followed by 'The Skyline'.